The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-06-29
INCALCULABLE IMPORTANCE!


The history OF nations is convincing
that there are periods IL the LIE
ofevery people, that may be termed a
revolutionary age. It is manifested
in monarchial governments, in open
rebellion against theirrulers. In this
Republican land it appears in the form
OF icoroclasm or disposition to de-
stror TIE laws or polity then in force
and build on its wreck a new order Of
things. This spirit of iconoclasn1 has
been growing in tho State until Il
dominates the Democratic party. In
the last primary held il Clarendon
a whole list Of county officers were at.
tackled. among them being the Office
of county auditor. There was hue
and cry for its adjustment, the moro
from the restlessness of the people
than the needs of the times. Many
tboughtless persons carried away by
q false idea of economy, zealously Ia
bored for the determination OF this Of
fee, when they had not the faint,
est conception Of the minutiae
of the Office. Under the present man,
agement of the finances Of the county
the Importance and value Of the audi
tors Office cannot be estimated. The
auditor is the public book-keeper. Hi;
Office contains a record of the county
property, and upon him falls the duty
to require faithful return by indi
viduals OF tGeir goods and chattels
he is the keeper, guardian, and Gus
todian of the treasurers Office, whicl
is the public bank. Without his au
thority, as expressed in his books, NJ
money can be received by the treasu
rer for taxes. But for this Office the
opportunities Of the treasurer to rot
the people, would only be limited BY
his disposition to do wrong, and hi:
steps could be covered securely IRON
the most expert grand jury. Now thE
hands of the treasurer are tied agains
evil. Boosting a treasurer as homes
and faithful as truth itself this las
argument may be counted nothing a
this time, but circumstances ma,
change, and the auditors Office prove
in this one respect saviour to the
people.
The services of an auditor are i'm
perative for the correct assessment ant
collection of taxes. In times ante
dating the civil war, when propert,
was in the hands of only a few indi
viduals, comparatively speaking, it wa!
easy for an officer known as the tax
collector, to discharge the duty o
both the treasurer and auditor. Since
then. the system has become more
complex BY the increase OF population
emancipation ofthe slaves, and more
-equable division of property among
the masses. The population of Clar,
endon is about 10000; Of which, it is
approximately correct to estimate the
taxpayers ct 5000. The average
amount OF taxes paid by 5000 individ-
uals, does not exceed $500. To col
!ect this scattered tax requires the
united labors of the county auditor
and treasurer, The auditor has to
see that this 5000 taxpayers make
their returns. Could the treasurer
properly discharge this laborious duty
and collect the taxes? Abolish the
Office and $500 year will be saved to
the county, but FIVE times the sum
will be annually lost by property es-
Gaping taxation, and other means.
Columns could we'll be written on this
important subject, but is unnecessary
at this time. The necessity OF contin.
uing this Office must appear to the
least thoughtful voter Of the land.